You can blame me for the weather. Really. I take full responsibility. You see, the last time we had really bad weather was the ice storm of 2007. We lost power for nine days. The day the storm started, I had decided we’d renovate the bathroom. The only bathroom we had at the time. The plan was to start and finish the bathroom in three days while using the facilities at our friend Paul’s house about three doors down. Valerie’s husband, Kevin, was helping so we figured we’d have it done in no time. Kevin was ripping out the old floor while Steve went to Lowe’s for the subfloor and backer board. Steve called and informed me it was beginning to ice. I told him we’d be fine and to take his time getting home. Around 8 p.m., the four of us left the house for dinner. We returned and, 15 minutes later, the electricity went out.

Kevin suggested we go to their house for the night since we weren’t going to get any more work done in the dark. We agreed, packed a few things and drove across town. Around midnight, Valerie and Kevin lost their electricity. The next day, Kevin said he and Steve could do a little more work on the floor while Valerie went to work and I went to the mall (retail therapy, you know). It wasn’t long before it became very clear that our power wasn’t going to return any time soon. We eventually moved into Paul’s empty house (which, amazingly, had power) with neighbors Mick and Carrie and set up camp for the duration.Nine days later, the power came back and the bathroom was finished shortly after.

So what does this have to do with the winter storm we’re having now? Well, our upstairs bathroom is in the middle of a renovation. The floor is gone and the toilets are out. Plus, I spent most of the past 24 hours poo-pooing the forecast. I guess the saying is true, “it’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.”

In the meantime, I’m grateful I don’t have to go anywhere today, I have electricity, plenty of food and two other bathrooms I can use.